The City completed installation of rain gardens in the existing right-of-way of 152nd Ave NE in 2013. The rain gardens provide stormwater treatment to protect creeks downstream from urban runoff while making the streetscape more attractive. The City also made pedestrian and bicycle safety Improvements as part of this project.

The rain gardens project was possible because 152nd Ave NE had more pavement than is needed for transportation demands. For that reason there was no need to acquire private property.
The rain gardens may be removed as redevelopment occurs in this neighborhood and streets are redesigned in the future. The environmental benefits provided by the rain gardens will be provided by regional stormwater vaults that will be constructed over the next 20 years. The first of three regional vaults, the South Detention Vault, is currently under construction and will be complete in 2015. The second, the Station Infiltration Vault, is expected to be complete by 2017.